no doubt be over, and we can return to the Burg, and show them what kind of shoes we had to tramp in."

"I don't know about that, Will," said John, looking solemn; "but one thing is certain, this will be the last pair of shoes I will draw, for in the very next engagement our regiment is in, that amounts to anything, I will be killed, and will, therefore, not need any more foot gear.'

66

'Oh, pshaw, what are you talking that way for? We'll both live to see the war ended, and the way we'll drive through Reynoldsburg one of these days behind a spanking team, will make the natives wonder. Won't it be fun, though, to see them open their eyes, when we go through that town like the wind?"

"But I tell you I will never get back. I feel it in my very soul, and have for a long time, that I would soon be numbered among the dead," said John, more serious than ever, not even cracking a smile at the thought of storming his old town behind a good team of horses.

His friend tried every way to free his mind of this thought, by telling jokes on his old home companions, and of the fiascos they used to indulge in, carrying it so far as to laugh at the ridiculousness of his presentiment of coming evil. But to no avail.

These soldiers were "partners,"-slept together, ate together, and what one did, the other knew of.

These

The regiment, in about two weeks after the above conversation, received marching orders, and all was in readiness to move. two young soldiers had curled up under their blanket for the night, and John, putting his arm around Will, said: "This is the last night you and I will ever spoon together, for before to-morrow's sun goes down I will be a corpse, and I know it."

The next morning (Sunday) was bright and clear, and John insisted on his companion taking his watch, money and other valuables, still asserting that before the day was done he would be no more. His friend declined. telling him that their chances were equally good, still laughing at his fear of being shot. About ten

o'clock the boom of artillery and the rattle of musketry could be distinctly heard, and the 113th was moving to the front. The contending forces met, but the crash was only of short duration, each side retiring for a breathing spell and to prepare for more effective effort. John was still all right, and was reminded of the fact that he still lived.

"The thing is not over yet, Will; as sure as fate, I will not see the setting of the sun. The next engagement will end me for this earth."

In a short time Company B was ordered out on the skirmish line. John and Will kept close together, and both stood behind the same There was scarcely room enough for both, and John concludeci to dodge across to the next tree only a few yards distant. He had gone but a short distance, when crash went a minnie ball through

tree.

the upper portion of his body, and in falling turned completely around and fell stone dead at the feet of his companion.

And his presentiment was fulfilled. The rebels soon came forward in force and drove the skirmishers back to the main line, and the body of John J. Smith, of Reynoldsburg, was never recovered, having been thrown in a trench with hundreds of others, recognition being impossible by their friends, who endeavored in a short time to recover the bodies of members of the regiment who were killed in this engagement-Chickamauga, Sunday, the 20th of September, 1863. The reader can answer.

Is there anything in presentiment?

OUR REUNIONS.

At the annual meeting of the Army of the Cumberland, held at Columbus, Ohio, in the summer of 1874, a number of the men of the 113th O. V. I. met at the Neil House and effected a temporary organization for the purpose of holding annual reunions of the regiment.

On the 22d of December, 1874, the regiment held its first reunion at the Board of Trade rooms, City Hall, Columbus. A permanent organization was made, as follows: President, John G. Mitchell; Vice President, Toland Jones; Treasurer, W. H. Halliday; Secretary, F. M. McAdams; Assistant Secretary, T. D. Bently. The exercises consisted of an address by General Mitchell and a free-and-easy lot of speeches by various members present. A banquet was held at the American Hotel in the evening, and fun and frolic reigned till a late hour. This reunion was a success.

The second reunion was held at London, O., on the last Friday of October, 1875. The annual address was delivered by Otway Watson. The people in and about London did a noble part in providing an abundant entertainment and generous welcome.

The third reunion was held at Mechanicsburg, O., October 27, 1876, and was presided over by Joseph Swisher. An address of welcome was delivered by W. H. Baxter. Some rotine business was transacted, and a banquet was held at the Darby House in the evening. This reunion was regarded as a failure, the citizens of the village failed to take an interest with us. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President, Charles P. Garman; Vice President, John W. Kile; Treasurer, James Coultas; Secretary, F. M. McAdams.

The fourth reunion was held at Columbus, O., August 24, 1877, and was presided over by John G. Mitchell. An able address was delivered by J. K. Hamilton, and some important matters of business disposed of. A banquet in the evening at the American House, an able address by Judge West, and other speaking exercises closed the

day. Officers for the ensuing year: President, John G. Mitchell; Vice President, George McCrea; Treasurer, C. A. Cofforth; Secretary, F. M. McAdams.

The fifth reunion was held at Columbus, October, 1878. The address was by Toland Jones. The occasion was one of rare interest, the attendance large and all passed off well. Officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: President, John G. Mitchell; Vice President, Toland Jones; Treasurer, C. A. Cofforth; Secretary, F. M. McAdams; Orator, David Taylor, Jr. The usual banquet at the American House closed the ceremonies.

The sixth reunion was held at Columbus, August 29, 1879, and was presided over by John G. Mitchell. The officers for the ensuing year were as follows: President, David Taylor, Jr.; Vice President, Charles Sinnet; Secretary, F. M. McAdams; Treasurer, Charles A. Cofforth; Executive Committee, James Coultas, W. P. Souder, Moses Goodrich. Speakers for next reunion, Otway Watson, Joseph Swisher. James A. Wilcox was the principal speaker. The usual committees were appointed and much other business disposed of. Brief addresses were made by McAdams, McCrea, Haley, Abbot, Sinnet, and others. Many letters from the absent ones were read by the Secretary. Proper plans were made for the next reunion.

August 11, 1880, was the date of the seventh reunion, held at the usual place at the State Capital. This meeting was presided over by David Taylor, Jr. The usual committees were assigned to duty at the morning session. The committee on nominations presented the following report: President, Wm. H. Halliday; Vice President, Moses Goodrich; Treasurer, Chas. A. Cofforth; Secretary, F. M. McAdams; Executive Committee, J. L. Flowers, Wm. Romosier, C. R. Herrick. The early part of the afternoon session was occupied in brief speeches, in which McAdams, Swisher, Watson and Hon. J. F. Ogelvee (98th O. V. I.) participated. There being present Chas. Kulencamp, 108th Ohio, Comrade Fribley, 98th Ohio, Captain Banker, 121st Ohio, and others of old Second Brigade, the meeting took on brigade proportions, and some plans were spoken of looking to a reunion of the regiments of the brigade at a future time.

The evening session was held in the office of the Auditor of State, and, though not well attended, was full of interest. Garman, Taylor, Watson, McAdams, Edmiston and Evans made short addresses.

The eighth reunion convened at Columbus, August 11, 1881, and, in the absence of President Halliday, was presided over by John Ogelvee. Committees on business, finance, nominations, etc., were appointed at the morning session, as follows: Business-Taylor, Southard and Flowers. Nominations-Simpson, Souder and Grafton. Finance-Cofforth, Osborn and Taylor. Future Reunion-Thrall, Sullivant and Van Houten. Officers for the ensuing year were chosen, as follows: President, Geo. G. McCrea; Vice President, L. S. Sullivant; Treasurer, A. M. Grafton; Secretary, F. M. McAdams. A project of writing a regimental history was discussed, and F. M. McAdams was made historian, with the assurance that

the membership would meet the necessary expense. St. Paris was agreed on as the place of meeting for next reunion. The session of the afternoon was occupied in short speeches, hand-shaking and exchange of good will and good feeling. No evening session was held. The ninth reunion assembled at St. Paris, O., on the 1st day of September, 1882. This was regarded by the people as the largest gathering of any kind ever held in the town. No pains had been spared in planning on a large scale; money and labor had been bestowed with liberal hands. Bravery and beauty vied to outdo each other in making the occasion successful, and never was labor and devotion more fully rewarded. No brief sketch can do the description justice. The principal exercises were held in Furrows' grove, near town. Addresses were made by J. Warren Kiefer, W. R. Warnock, S. T. McMorran and others. A huge dinner was served in princely style, and the capacity of the old soldiers was, for once, reached. At Bowersock's Hall, in the evening, an entertainment was held, consisting of music, toasts, addresses, etc. In this exercise John G. Mitchell, Chas. F. McAdams, L. S. Sullivant, S. T. McMorran, Toland Jones, W. C. Rose, Iza Gales and J. Swisher participated. This reunion is regarded as one of the largest ever held in this part of the State. The people of St. Paris did themselves great credit.

The tenth reunion was held at Granville, Licking county, September 20, 1883. Like the preceding one at St. Paris, it was immense. The citizens had for weeks been talking, planning and laboring to make the occasion a success. All the necessary plans for decoration, music, entertainment, etc., had been carefully laid and intrusted to competent hands. The meetings were held in the Opera House, which was filled to its utmost limit. L. S. Sullivant was chosen chairman. The following committees were appointed: ResolutionsM. M. Munson, J. K. Hamilton, J. Swisher; Finance-John W. Kile, C. R. Herrick, M. Goodrich; Nominations-J. S. Ports, W. C. Bostwick, Toland Jones; Programme-B. Huson, Thomas A. Jones, John Ogelvee. R. E. Rogers, Mayor of Granville, delivered a greeting of welcome. Rev. T. J. Sheppard responded on behalf of the resident members of the regiment, and J. K. Hamilton spoke in response to the welcome. Toland Jones and Joseph Swisher made some fitting remarks in the morning session. Dinner was then in order. Such a dinner! One could believe that the whole commonwealth had united in furnishing supplies. The attack was made in good order, and the line was maintained without a straggler. Some dinners can be described; this one can not. It was all that a rich country, loyal hearts and fair hands could make it. That is saying enough.

The exercises of the evening session consisted of toasts, music, speeches and anecdote, and will long be remembered on account of the enjoyment it furnished. The toasting and responses were as follows: "The American Soldier "-Joseph Swisher.

"The Press in the War". -Milton Scott.

"The Unreturned Volunteer"-F. M. McAdams.

"Our Reunions"-L. S. Sullivant.

"Our Invited Guests"-M. M. Munson.

The Granville Cornet Band furnished good music of the instrumental kind, and a select choir of vocalists rendered some excellent pieces of music during the day and evening.

The eleventh reunion was appointed for Mt. Sterling, September 10, 1884. The following officers were chosen for the next year: President, Toland Jones; Vice President, Moses Goodrich; Secretary and Treasurer, F. M. McAdams; Orator, Joseph Swisher.

Our reunions are growing in interest year after year. May they continue as long as there are two of the old command left to greet each other and shake hands.

ADDRESS OF MAJOR JOSEPH SWISHER,

AT THE

SEVENTH REUNION OF THE 113TH O. V. I., AT CITY HALL, COLUMBUS, OHIO, AUGUST 11, 1880.

COMRADES OF THE 113TH O. V. I.:

I received official notice a few days ago of my selection, in connection with Major Watson, to deliver an address at the 7th annual reunion of the regiment. I have collected a few thoughts together for the occasion, which I hope may not be entirely void of interest. While engaged in the quiet pursuits of life, amidst peace and plenty, we can scarcely realize the fact that within less than twenty years past our country has been engaged in a great civil war which threatened its very existence. While recounting the heroism of those who went forth to battle for their country, you will pardon me if I go back and briefly recount the causes which brought on the conflict. Going back to the time when the Colonies separated themselves from the mother country, and set up an independent government for themselves, we find that in the Constitution which they adopted they left the very germ of dissolution. Our forefathers had declared that all men were endowed by their Creater with certain inalienable rights, among which were life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, when the Constitution was adopted human slavery was allowed to exist. While poets have sung of this as the land of the free and the home of the brave, it remained for nearly one hundred years as the land of the free and the home of the slave. Thomas Jefferson first compared the institution of slavery to a wolf held by the ears, which you could not hold onto nor dared to let go.

The slave power, ever aggressive, first showed its real spirit in 1820, when Missouri was admitted as a State into the Union. By a compromise measure, the impending crisis which threatened a speedy dissolution of the Union at that time was averted,